Luftwaffe Museum Berlin – Gatow, 25 June 2022

Introduction

The Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow preserves more than a century of German military aviation history. Located on a historic post-war airbase in Berlin, the institution exhibits extensive aircraft collections, historical documentation, and technical equipment spanning from early ballooning to modern air defense.

General Information about the Museum

• Full Name of the Museum: Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow
• Address Information: Am Flugplatz Gatow 33, 14089 Berlin, Germany

History

The collection originated from the private preservation efforts of a Bundeswehr administrator who gathered equipment in Uetersen starting in 1957. As the inventory expanded, a support association formed in 1963, eventually transferring ownership to the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in 1987. Following German reunification, the museum integrated large inventories from the former East German National People’s Army (NVA). In January 1995, the entire collection relocated to the historical RAF Gatow airfield in Berlin, officially opening to the public on 23 September 1995. Since 2010, the site operates as an official branch of the overarching Dresden-based military history museum network.

Indoor and Outdoor Collections

• Current: The active exhibition grounds feature extensive open-air flight lines alongside specialized display hangars housing restored aircraft, helicopters, anti-aircraft systems, radar technology, and historical uniforms.
• Former: Early displays established in Uetersen between 1957 and 1995 formed the baseline collection before undertaking the major airlift and truck relocation to Berlin.

Specifications

• Important Aircraft in the Collection: CASA 2.111D (Spanish Heinkel He 111 variant), Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D-9 (replica), Fiat G.91R/3, Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, North American F-86K Sabre, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F-13, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29G, Sukhoi Su-22M4, Mil Mi-8T, and Bristol Sycamore.
• Museum Dimensions and Layout: The site spans approximately 722,000 square meters (72 hectares) across the historic airfield, featuring remaining runway infrastructure and multiple large exhibition hangars.
• Collection Quality: Rated as one of the largest and most comprehensive military aviation collections in Germany, offering multi-perspective historical context regarding European air warfare and Cold War defense strategies.
• Staffing: Operated and managed as an official branch of the Bundeswehr military history department, supported by professional military and civilian personnel alongside specialized restoration and archival staff.